California Golden State Stimulus Payments Public Service Bulletin

February 24, 2021

UPDATED April 2, 2021

Purpose of bulletin

To announce the 2021 mailing of California's Golden State Stimulus (stimulus) payments to qualified recipients.

Background

This PSB was originally posted on 2/24/2021, and was revised on 3/30/2021 to include information specific to the passage of AB 88. (Stats. 2021, Ch. 12).

California will provide a one-time payment of $600 or $1,200, per tax return, to eligible recipients.

To qualify, recipients must:

  • Have filed their 2020 tax return
  • Be either:
    • A CalEITC recipient
    • An ITIN filer who makes $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
  • Lived in California for more than hald of the 2020 tax year
  • Be a California resident on the date payment is issued
  • Not be eligible to be claimed as a dependant
Recipients will receive the following amount based upon the eligible 2020 tax return filed:
2020 Tax return filed Stimulus amount
Taxpayer (TP) is a CalEITC recipient with SSN $600
TP is a CalEITC recipient with an ITIN $1,200
TP is not a CalEITC recipient, but:
  • File with an ITIN and
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $600
TP filed a joint return and:
  • At least one TP files with an ITIN
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $600
TP filed a joint return and:
  • Is a CalEITC recipient
  • At least one TP filed with an ITIN
 $1,200

Additional Information

Taxpayer action needed:

  • No action is required to receive the stimulus payment for eligible recipients beyond filing their 2020 tax return.
  • To ensure the taxpayer receives the stimulus payment, eligible tax returns should be filed by October 15, 2021.

Receiving stimulus payment:

  • Payment will be issued after FTB processes your 2020 tax return, which is generally when any tax refund or CalEITC credit is received. In general:
    • Direct deposit payments can take up to 45 days.
    • Paper check payments can take up to 60 days.
    • In some instances, it may take longer.
  • Individuals will generally receive their stimulus payment through the method the taxpayer designated for their refund on the filed tax return (e.g., direct deposit or mailed paper warrant).
  • If the tax filer received an advanced refund through their tax service provider or paid their tax preparer fees using their refund or if their account requires further verification, they will receive the stimulus payment by check in the mail.

Offsets/Withholding:

  • The stimulus payment is not taxable for California state income tax purposes.
  • The stimulus payment will not be subject to offset for debts owed to Franchise Tax Board or other government agencies.
  • In general, the Golden State Stimulus payments are not subject to garnishment orders, with the exception of orders in connection with child support, spousal support, family support, or a criminal restitution payable to victims. If a taxpayer believes the Golden State Stimulus that was deposited to their account was levied/frozen in error, please have the taxpayer contact the phone number provided by their financial institution.

Taxpayer Inquiries

Additional information is available at ftb.ca.gov/GoldenStateStimulus.

Contact us at 800-852-5711 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding state holidays).

Allow 45 days beyond mailing timeframes to allow for processing before contacting us.